Dezeen School Shows: a contemporary furniture collection that puts a twist on the classic look of traditional Parisian pieces is among the projects showcased at this year's New Designers.

Also featured are playful seating for children and an accessible toaster with large buttons, designed to be suitable for all ages.

New Designers

Institution: New Designers Class of 2026

School statement:

"The UK's most established graduate design showcase returns in 2026, spotlighting the next generation of design talent.

"Taking place from 1 to 4 July, New Designers reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of design today, bringing together emerging talent in a more dynamic, connected and immersive experience for both exhibitors and visitors.

"For over 40 years, New Designers has championed emerging creative talent, providing a vital platform for more than 2,500 graduates annually to present their visionary ideas to industry professionals and the public.

"The 2026 edition marks an exciting new chapter, uniting graduates from across the UK in a single, cohesive showcase taking place over one week."

Re-Warm by Rupert Murphy

"Rupert Murphy has been named BDC New Designer of the Year for Re-Warm, a portable device designed to support hypothermic management following cold water immersion.

"Honest, intentional and built to do exactly what it says. Re-Warm tackles a real and urgent problem with clarity and care. This is design at its best, saving lives while doing so."

Student: Rupert Murphy
Course: Product Design, Bournemouth University

Casul by James Murphy

"Casul is a project built with the end user in mind. James brings an impressive balance of play and function, paired with a genuine understanding of children and how they engage with the world.

"The result is a piece of work that feels like great storytelling."

Student: James Murphy
Course: BA/BSc (Hons) Product Design, Nottingham Trent University

The Ketchup and Custard Collection: Hidden Stories in Lace by Poppy Morgan

"Inspired by nostalgia and family memory, Poppy set out to reimagine lace in new and unexpected ways.

"Through embroidery and freestanding lace techniques, she transformed a familiar family favourite, Heinz tomato ketchup and its 57 varieties, into bold, playful, lace-like motifs.

"The outcome is authentic and full of character. Bold colour, considered detail and a cohesive presentation, down to the footwear, bring the collection's playful spirit to life throughout.

"A visually compelling body of work with a clear and distinctive creative vision."

Student: Poppy Morgan
Course: BA (Hons) Textiles, Edinburgh College of Art

Stories in Bloom by Grace Holden

"Stories in Bloom is a collection of prints and patterns exploring how the home evolves across childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

"With no brief given, Grace chose to make something personal, a body of work about turning a house into a home, from a child's earliest memories through to adult life.

"Drawing on Victorian floriography, the language of flowers used to represent emotion, each bloom was chosen to narrate a different chapter of that journey.

"Wallcoverings are digitally printed to capture the texture of brushstrokes, while fabrics in velveteen and cotton drill bring a tactile richness to the collection."

Student: Grace Holden
Course: BA (Hons) Design for Textiles, Heriot Watt University

Your First Last Toaster by Bhavnesh Rohit Modgill

"Your Last First Toaster is a multi-generational toaster, born from the overlap between universal and circular design.

"Through careful material selection, design for disassembly and thoughtfully included assistive features, it resists the disposability of modern appliances and rejects the idea that users should be segmented by ability, aiming instead to serve one person across the full arc of their life.

"The project grew from a personal starting point: an intergenerational household, and watching a grandmother's independence slip away as everyday devices became harder to use.

"Rather than designing something clinical, the toaster meets people where they are, with large buttons and contrasting colours that anticipate a spectrum of accessibility needs, sitting on a countertop that looks as good in a first flat as it does in a home adapting to cognitive decline."

Student: Bhavnesh Rohit Modgill
Course: BSc Product Design and BEng Design Engineering, University of Brighton

The Tale of Twynroy and the Tiger by Lauren Stokes

"Lauren's vibrant, original collection stands out for its unique inspiration, confident storytelling and beautiful hand-drawn artwork.

"Traditional techniques sit alongside contemporary imagery and bold, energetic colour, coming together into a cohesive and visually engaging body of work.

"The collection draws on the story of Hannah Twynnoy, the first person recorded to be killed by a tiger in England, in Malmesbury in 1703, filtered through an eye shaped by the eccentricity of Mind the Gap and the high-contrast drama of Fornasetti."

Student: Lauren Stokes
Course: BA(Hons) Surface Pattern and Textiles, Swansea College of Art

From Foliage to Food by Aurora Stevens

"Bridging food and foliage, Aurora's collection grows from a respect for nature, a love of food and a response to the climate crisis.

"It looks at the connection we so often miss between what we eat and where it comes from, focusing on the lifecycle of the tomato plant and the leftover pedicel, sepal and stem it leaves behind.

"Through organic materials and metal, the collection gives new value to what's usually discarded, reconnecting the food we eat to the natural elements that provide it.

"The links and movement across each piece speak to real creativity, and the care taken in making them mirrors the care the collection asks us to give back to the planet."

Student: Aurora Stevens
Course: Jewellery and Metal Design, University of Dundee

Modo by Tyler Lambert

"Designed for the Porada brief, Modo takes a stripped-back approach to the luxury armchair, moving away from a foam-heavy aesthetic in favour of a leaner, more streamlined form.

"Off-the-shelf fixings help reduce overheads, making the piece more accessible to a new, younger audience for the brand, while ash felled from campus trees and unbleached cotton canvas keep the materials considered and low cost.

"Commercially viable and sustainable in equal measure, well presented and backed by impressive marketing assets, Modo marks a strong first step into the industry."

Student: Tyler Lambert
Course: BA(Hons) Product Design, Bath Spa University

Goblin Catchers by Abi Jade

"Step into Abi's world and you'll find it joyful, energetic and impossible to pin down.

"Playfulness and tactility run through everything she makes, building a kind of multi-sensory storytelling that's entirely her own, and if we're allowed to say it, a little bit bonkers."

Student: Abi Jade
Course: BA (Hons) Illustration, Norwich University of Arts

Terrace Cafe Chair by Elora Foley

"Inspired by terrace and cafe culture, this project reimagines traditional Parisian furniture for the modern hospitality space.

"A steel, powder-coated frame meets a solid ash seat, built stackable, lightweight and with a small footprint for cafes and bars.

"At the end of its life, the chair can be fully disassembled, refurbished and replaced piece by piece.

"Eight colourways, led by a signature Merlot, give it range across settings, from Cobble and Smoke to Terracotta and Pigeon."

Student: Elora Foley
Course: 3D/Furniture and Product Design, Northumbria University

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and New Designers. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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